BAIRD, Sir DAVID (1757-1829). A British general. Ile was horn December 6, 1757, at Newbyth, Scotland. He was left fatherless at an early age. His mother procured his entry to the army in 1772, as ensign in the Second Foot. and he joined his regiment at Gibraltar in 1773. In 1778 he received his lieutenancy. and in the smile year, on ac count of his distinguished bearing and great height, was appointed by Lord .Alacleod. a family friend. to be captain of the Seventy-third Grena dier Regiment, afterwards famous as the Seven ty-first Highland Light Infantry. He served in British India, 1780-89. In September, 1780, at Perambacum, heroically fighting against over whelming odds, he was severely wounded, taken prisoner, and held captive by Hyder Ali. Re leased in March, 1784, he became, in 1787, major in his regiment. and in 1789 returned to Eng land. In 1790 he purchased the lieutenant colonelcy of his regiment, but owing to the delay of his agent in this transaction. on two subsequent occasions lost the succession as com mander-in-ehief of the army. In 1791 lie re turned to India. and after some minor service, in 1799 led the storming party at Seringapatam, having obtained that perilous honor at his own urgent request. Colonel Wellesley (afterwards Duke of Wellington) commanding the reserve. Ilis merit was acknowledged by the home Gov ernment. In the following year he was ap pointed to the command of an expedition against Batavia. which was. however. afterwards sent
to Egypt. On his return to India, he found that the star of Wellesley was in the ascend ant; and Baird, who had already eomplained of the preference given to that officer. and who was, besides, of opinion that his own merits were constantly overlooked. applied for leave of absence, and sailed for Europe in 1503. He was received at court with great distinction, knighted in June, 1804, and made a K.C.B. in the following August. In 1805 he commanded an expedition against the Dutch Settlements at the Cape of Good Hope. which was successful; in 1807 he commanded a division at the siege of Copenhagen; and in 1808 was sent to Spain with an army of 10.000 men to assist Sir John Moore. He distinguished himself in the battle of Corunna. January 16, 1809, when his left arm was shattered by grape-shot and had to lie amputated. Moore was killed in the action. and Sir David succeeded to the chief command, and had the honor of communicating the intelli gence of the victory to Government. On this occasion he received. for the fourth time in his life, the thanks of Parliament. and was created a baronet. He retired from active ser vice in 1810. and was made commander of the forces in Ireland in 1820. He died August IS, 1829. Consult: Hook. Life of General Sir David Baird (London, 1832) : Gore, character of Sir David Baird (London, 1883).